Church looks into security after second picnic table theft

MARTINSBURG – When arriving at church for Sunday morning worship April 13, members of Mt. Wesley United Methodist Church were distraught to learn that one of their picnic tables had been stolen, again.

For the second time, picnic tables from the church’s pavilion were taken, despite increased security measures after the first theft. Three picnic tables were stolen the first time and one picnic table was stolen during the second incident.

“I think it’s just one of those moments that the (church) community feels so violated. Who would steal a picnic table from a church where it’s been dedicated to some of their members? That’s the emotion right now, we just don’t understand,” said Ed Grove, pastor for Mt. Wesley United Methodist.

Each table was significant to congregation members, as each was dedicated in honor or memory of a church member or family member, denoted by a brass plaque of the table.

Grove estimated that the tables, purchased by the church, cost between $500 and $700 each. Grove said the church will be replacing the picnic table, just as it replaced the three tables stolen from the first incident.

While the church filed a police complaint for the first theft incident, Grove chose not to file a second report.

“The first time we did, but the fact is we’re way out in the country. It’s a beautiful spot, but not a place that’s easy for a cruising police officer, it’s that back-in-the-hollers kind of thing that we have so much of around here,” Grove said.

After the first theft, the church bolted the tables down to the concrete, but following the second incident, the church is looking into further security measures.

Grove said the church will be using a new bolt system to secure the remaining picnic tables, and eventually the new table, by drilling deeper into the concrete.

“It burns me up. When they stole the three picnic tables, they broke into our shed and stole our gas grill. We use (the pavilion) all summer long for vacation bible school, cookouts, just getting together as the whole church family. It’s just frustrating,” said church member Kara Day.